p. 183 | Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1861

Extracts from Letters.

Sister Havirland writes from Sumner Wis.: "It was two years last November since I set out to serve the Lord by keeping his commandments, and having faith in the blessed Saviour. It was then I commenced to read the word of God for myself, and I praise the Lord for the light that has shone upon my pathway. I find I have much to do if I ever get through to that blessed land that is promised only to the faithful. I feel determined by the grace of God to be found among such.

O dear brethren and sisters, Jesus is soon coming to take his faithful children home. How this blessed thought cheers us onward through this cold and friendless world. Yes he will come and will not tarry. Knowing this to be the truth, let us go on trusting in the promises of God, not trying to please self or the world, but striving to please him whose eye is constantly upon us, and knows the inmost secrets of our hearts. O how straight and narrow is the way, and yet how plain! My earnest prayer to God is that I may ever keep in the narrow way that leadeth to everlasting life."

Bro. D. McCumber writes from West Union, Iowa: "Through the kindness of some friends I have had the privilege of reading the Review, also some books on the subject of the soon coming of the Saviour as connected with the Sabbath. The result has been that myself and companion have been enabled by the aid of the Holy Spirit to fall in with the overtures of mercy, and to give heed to the last message ever to be given to a fallen world. We have kept five Sabbaths. We feel determined to press on until we can meet all the dear saints in the kingdom. May the Lord assist us.

"We are young in the cause, and want all the light we can get. We feel very anxious to hear a course of lectures. We think that good might be done here. There are some investigating. We meet every Sabbath, also evenings occasionally; and the Lord meets with us. We have heard nothing on the prophecies, except from Bro. Shireman a few times."

Bro. E. W. Darling writes from Beaver, Min.: "I feel myself to be but a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, yet I look forward to the time when the days of our pilgrimage shall be at an end, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. I have been striving to heed the counsel of the true Witness. When I consider my past unfaithfulness and short comings, I am led to wonder at the long-suffering and forbearance of God. Surely it is because his tender mercies fail not that we are not consumed. I feel like praising the Lord for his goodness to me. I am determined to serve him more faithfully in the future, and to discharge every duty in fear and humility. There is but one family of us here. We have not had the privilege of meeting with the brethren for nearly four years; but we have the Review, which brings us word from them, a pleasure which we could not be persuaded to forego. May we all be so happy as to meet where parting will be no more, is the prayer of your unworthy brother."

Bro. A. M. Pyle writes from Sumner, Wis.: "It has been about three months since I decided to go with the remnant. I find the road is rough, nevertheless I believe that we are on the right road, and if faithful a little longer we shall see Jesus coming to gather us home. Myself and wife have been first-day, or no-Sabbath Adventists, but the Lord has seen fit in his great mercy to change our location that we might be led to further investigate the gospel. We are now firm in the truth of the third angel's message. We received light on these subjects from Brn. Daniels and McCormick. I then commenced to investigate, and found them to contain solemn truths, for which we give God glory. Here in Wisconsin we find that the Devil is neither dead nor bound, but is awake to all his old devices and plans. He is not wanting in means nor agents to carry out his plans; and I find that his most successful agents are those who have a name to live and are dead to the truth; who have a form of godliness but deny the power. From such we would turn away. We need the prayers of the brethren and sisters. Peace be with all who love the Lord sincerely."

Bro. Z. Nicola writes from Richmond, Iowa: "I am trying to overcome, that I may have right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city. I do thank God that I was ever permitted to hear this third angel's message. I have been striving to keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus for two years. We have been much encouraged by the late visit from Bro. Snook. The church here is growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. We have adopted the Systematic Benevolence. There is perfect union. We feel ourselves as all members of one body."